This is by no means the first occasion when a head of state claimed that in his person, resided the state, beyond question and certainly any criticism. “L’état, c’est moi” (“I am the state”) said Louis XIV, the king of France. He supposedly declared this before the Parlament of Paris in 1655, signifying his…
It is Saturday. Nature, sunrise with the warming of spring, – proceeds impassively. The bedrock of reality is cause and effect as far as I can tell. I find comfort in that. There, in Nature is my refuge from being whipsawed by revulsion, or by terror, or by avarice, by hope, or by _____….
This Friday begins with magnificent sunlight. Nature is our mother, the beginning and the ending of my/our individual stories. This story penned by Nietzsche requires two movements. Tomorrow I will offer part 2. As you’ve noticed it’s a conversation between a young adult (male or female) and Zarathustra. “Zarathustra,” Nietzsche’s mouthpiece, is a mysterious…
Days become weeks, weeks months and perhaps years too, rare if ever does the conversation arise. I mean a direct, heads-up discussion about what we mean when we use the term God. What qualifies as experience of a divine presence for me? I could never hazard to answer on your behalf. Sometimes after pondering…
Ought I to be surprised that Nietzsche’s understanding of crime parallels that of the ancient Stoics? This disciplined way of life aimed at moderating the passions, harmonizing emotion according to reason was developed from 400 to 500 year span of time from Athens to Rome. Stoics recognized that feeling, impulse, bodily sensation is emotion…
I press forward to learn as much as possible about the ancient practice of Stoicism. The Greek and Roman adherents to the Stoic practice of self-reflection, the mindful analysis of emotion, – desired to become virtuous individuals. The ability to respond to whatever fate served up, preserving one’s sense of identity, reciprocating with clarity…
Monday morning brings a look-back, memories of the weekend. Several events remain vivid in mind. We enjoyed breakfast once again at Daddio’s Diner. The dining room is compact, bustling with patrons, griddle-man, and several waitstaff. We found two seats at the counter opposite the griddle. Hash brown potatoes are cooking at the back of…
One more nationwide demonstration is under my belt. I joined the Hands Off event in Geneva, standing on State Street, with a few thousand of my neighbors, frightened and concerned Americans. Trump, naturally, after announcing the imposition of massive tariffs, flew away to his Trump National Doral Golf Club to host the LIV tournament….
Saturday morning is quiet at this time. Patrons haven’t arrived yet to fill the room with conversation. The sky is overcast, an early spring chill in the air. I will participate in a demonstration of resistance to the administration that is scheduled for 11:30 AM later today. The non-violent protest will take place on…
A little poison now and then:that makes pleasant dreams.And much poison in the end,for a pleasant death. I cannot purge my mind of yesterday’s main news event. Trump hosted a spectacle in the outdoor Rose Garden, announcing a list of new tariffs that are to be applied to every trading partner. The tariffs were…
